Vapor Trails

Amazon.com
The songs on Vapor Trails may not be as instant or accessible as those on their previous albums, but the Canadian trio is definitely playing harder and bolder than they have in years. Layers of guitars have replaced most of the keyboards, setting Alex Lifeson free to explore new territories and textures. Geddy Lee is also given more playing space, such as on "Peaceable Kingdom," where his bass parts take the role of rhythm guitar. The arrangements are intricate and interesting throughout, yet never overwhelming. "Secret Touch" twists and builds from melody to a monsterous jam, while Neil Peart's awe-inspiring drums give extra power and dynamics to the album's heavier numbers, such as "Nocturne" and the bombastic lead cut, "One Little Victory." Lee's vocals and harmonies add great depth to "Earthshine," while the airy "How It Is" soothes with nice open chords and jangling guitars. Rush has taken one step forward while keeping one foot back in a rawer sound, all the while continuing to evolve musically. --Gail Flug

Vapor Trails,Rush,Atlantic / Wea,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Vapor Trails

Average customer rating:

Rush Returns From A Six Year Hiatus To Slam Us In The Face!
Too darn loud
An album revisited
a decent rock album, but rush went overboard
Rock music for creative people

Vapor Trails
Rush
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Dynasty | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Test for Echo
Counterparts
Hold Your Fire
Snakes & Arrows
Power Windows

ASIN: B000065DTE
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

One Little Victory
Peaceable Kingdom
Ghost Rider
Ceiling Unlimited
The Stars Look Down
How It Is
Vapor Trail
Out Of The Cradle
Earthshine
Sweet Miracle
Nocturne
Freeze (Part IV of 'Fear')
Secret Touch

Amazon.com

The songs on Vapor Trails may not be as instant or accessible as those on their previous albums, but the Canadian trio is definitely playing harder and bolder than they have in years. Layers of guitars have replaced most of the keyboards, setting Alex Lifeson free to explore new territories and textures. Geddy Lee is also given more playing space, such as on "Peaceable Kingdom," where his bass parts take the role of rhythm guitar. The arrangements are intricate and interesting throughout, yet never overwhelming. "Secret Touch" twists and builds from melody to a monsterous jam, while Neil Peart's awe-inspiring drums give extra power and dynamics to the album's heavier numbers, such as "Nocturne" and the bombastic lead cut, "One Little Victory." Lee's vocals and harmonies add great depth to "Earthshine," while the airy "How It Is" soothes with nice open chords and jangling guitars. Rush has taken one step forward while keeping one foot back in a rawer sound, all the while continuing to evolve musically. --Gail Flug

Customer Reviews:

Rush Returns From A Six Year Hiatus To Slam Us In The Face!.......2007-07-17

The untimely deaths of Neil Peart's daughter Selena (car accident) & wife Jackie (Cancer) in less than ten months very nearly put an end to Rush. Though six long years would pass between Test For Echo and the release of Vapor Trails, Neil had to do a lot of emotional healing in the interim before taking on the next Rush project. The first thing you hear on this album is that it jams loud and strong. The music is in-your-face, and maybe because of Neil's tragedies and the fact that Rush was very nearly put to rest, it shows a certain desperation, a certain defiance. Guitar, Drums & Bass. This is definintely Rush with an attitude! Let's check out the songs:

One Little Victory - Jesus! Is this Rush? Neil's intro drumming is slamming good fun! Great song. Great opener. Rocking. The lyrics are perfect. Oh yeah! One of my personal favorites.

Freeze, Pt 4 of "Fear" - Uh...Part Four of the "Fear" Trilogy? Ok. This song is a rocker. Neil's drums are filled with anger. Sonically, Rush has changed again. If you thought Counterparts or Test For Echo was heavy, that ain't nothing. Good, solid tune.

Ceiling Unlimited - This song keeps building and building. Great lyrics. Neil has taken the gloves off here and it is refreshing. The groove of the song is definitely infectious. Excellent!

Peaceable Kingdom - The song is weird in a swirling, churning kinda way. I like the lyrics and Geddy's haunting vocals, but it loses something in the garbled translation. As a more straight-forward effort this song could have been truly great. Because of the effects, it's merely cool.

The Stars Look Down - Alex is back in full wail and that's a very good thing. This song is another strange one. Are there elements of Geddy's solo album drifting in here. Maybe? It's a good song. Hard and pounding. Just the garbled production detracts from the songs.

How It Is - Acoustic intro into sheer groove. This song is pretty straight and rocking. The distortion on Geddy's voice sucks, but overall this is a tight song.

Vapor Trails - The riff is great. Overlooked, but simply great. With the cleanup of the drifting production, this song sounds how as it should. Driving and focused. Elegant.

Secret Touch - Neil said he went back and took some drum lessons. Who gives one of rock's greatest drummers lessons? It worked. Neil's drumming on Vapor Trails is electric and inspired and raw. Excellent. This song moves back into the weird echoing effect on Geddy's voice, but it works here. A way out is a way in....

Earthshine - Great opening. This is another gem off this album and a personal favorite. Brroding, moody tune, filled with angst or anger. Rush outdid themselves here. The music is awesome. I can raise my eyes to Earthshine...

Sweet Miracle - Right off, the music is killer. The vocals drag a little and the lyrics aren't that good. This is middle of the road Rush. Simply cool, not exellent.

Nocturne - Did I have a dream or did the dream have me? Strange song. Doesn't sound exactly like it is a Rush song. Struturally different to anything Rush has done before. Weird. I like it.

Out Of The Cradle - Musically stunning. This is a pumping album ender. Definitely worth the effort of listening to every song. This song is electric, enthusiastic, energetic! Oh yeah!

Overall, Vapor Trails has a new sound for Rush and it's filled with aggression and energy. Perhaps this is because Rush dodged the bullet of extinction with Neil Peart's return from the dark shores of grief. This is Rush redefined and it's very, very good. Perfect? No. But strong and unyielding, and that is what Rush fans were waiting for. Great.

Dig it!

Too darn loud.......2007-06-11

I love Rush sound and its evolution throughout the years. I own almost all of the CDs plus some vinils.

This could be a very good CD, as the songs are good. Nevertheless, Vapor Trails is *not* a good CD.

This CD is recorded so loud that does *not* sound right. The sound is so distorted that you cannot tell if the lead guitar is Alex Lifeson or your punk neighbor down the street, using a Spinal Tap-type amplifier cranked all the way to "eleven".

It's is a real shame that a band this good, with such virtuoso musicians, get their work all destroyed because a dont-know-better sound engineer decided to crank the amplifier to "eleven".

When I listen to Rush I want to listen to good musicians playing. If I want it loud, I have my volume control, thank you very much.

I'm disturbed by this trend of cranking the volume so high that musical skill doesn't matter anymore.

:(

An album revisited.......2007-05-17

It's been enlightening to return to this disc in the aftermath of the release of Snakes & Arrows, and make the comparisons of material and sound quality. My bottom line, and the reason for even contributing a review to an album now already five years old, is to suggest that there are a lot of great songs on Vapor Trails. S&A benefits from a fantastic production that could have worked wonders for the strong material on VT.

I wonder if Rush would be willing (and how long it might be for them) to consider having this material re-mastered and re-released. I see how releases like Counterparts and even Test for Echo have already been re-mastered, so one can hold out hope that someday soon they'll get to work on fixing the mix of this disc! One of the comments from the audience down the page here suggested that this was just about the worst-mastered major label release he'd ever heard, and even though I'm not as technically able to put it into words as he did in terms of compression and EQ problems, I'd have to agree with this person entirely.

I've told my friend and fellow Rush-head that I rarely reach for this disc when I want to hear Rush. He agrees. Returning to VT today in light of the S&A release has me understanding why I don't reach for it more often.

I look forward to a re-mastering. The material merits 4 stars.

a decent rock album, but rush went overboard.......2007-05-07

i don't care what anyone says about "test for echo" - i love alternative rock, and it's the only full rush album that's rocking, concise, and non-nerdy enough for me to enjoy it. so then we have "vapor trails," and unfortunately rush takes everything great about "test for echo" and over-does it. while neil peart can of course be a great lyricist, here he really takes wrong steps, becoming very PREACHY. the lyrics sound like they're taken out of some new-age book. basically it's like rush became a parody of themselves.

not that there aren't good things about the album.. "the stars look down" and "vapor trail" are definitely great songs, "ghost rider" is pretty good too, but the preachy "one little victory" and grumpy "peaceable kingdom" definitely bring the affair down a couple of stars. i see a couple of reviews blaming the production.. i say the weakness of the songs is the real problem. "test for echo" was a very "shiny" polished sounding record, and that's not always best for rock music.

Rock music for creative people.......2007-04-06

When long time listeners leave these reviews claiming something is missing from this recording, what they mean to say is there is something new here and they don't like it. Something fresh, something thoughtful. Neil's recent trials are all over this album, and the result is a work with blood, guts, pain, hope, and a beating heart. Rush is a phenomenal band that does things their way, yet I think it's fair to say that at times their songs have been about the individual parts, not so much the whole. Solos, fills, bass lines. That formula is an awesome thing to behold in their hands, but here they've put it in the back seat and let the songs drive themselves. I am a long time listener myself, and I say they have never sounded more vital. Incredible rock album by any standards.

Equalibrium: Border Crossing (Percussion Music)

Average customer rating:

Equalibrium: Border Crossing (Percussion Music)

Manufacturer: Equilibrium Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Percussion | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00001P4TR
Release Date: 1999-10-05

Average customer rating:

vapor fails!
another chance at victory...
they just keep getting better
Gracious gift
A New Evolution - Their Best Work

Vapor Trails
Rush
Manufacturer: Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005YWZX
Release Date: 2002-05-20

Tracks:

One Little Victory
Ceiling Unlimited
Ghost Rider
Peaceable Kingdom
Stars Look Down
How It Is
Vapor Trail
Secret Touch
Earthshine
Sweet Miracle
Nocturne
Freeze, Pt. 4 of "Fear"
Out of the Cradle

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring an Introduction Written by Mike Portnoy, the Drummer from Dream Theater.

Customer Reviews:

vapor fails!.......2005-11-08

I just bought Rush's Vapor Trails along with Deep Purple's latest, Rapture of the Deep and couldn't have had a more one sided listening experience. What a surprise.

My two favorite bands seem to be going in different directions and I`m not talking about musical directions. I can't believe how AWFUL Vapor Trails is, the sound quality is just plain bad, the arrangements feel forced and the songs simply aren't good, let alone memorable. The lyrics are good, but that doesn't matter when the rest of it just sits there. I'm struggling just getting through this thing.

On the other hand, Rapture of the Deep is everything Vapor Trails isn't. Great performances, fantastic songs, great lyrics, good sound quality. Deep Purple sound like they are having FUN! Plus, the flow of the album is just outstanding.

It's safe to say this is not Rush`s finest hour, but it might be Deep Purple`s.

Vapor Trails = 1/2 star
Rapture of the Deep = 4 1/2 stars

another chance at victory..........2005-03-15

Simply put - this is the best Rush album ever. I didn't believe that until I listen to the entire album about 2 dozen times. Now, I can't stop listening to it. Lyrically and musically it's amazing - the constructs of each song are smartly put together and are built for repeated listening. Highly recommended...

they just keep getting better.......2004-07-27

I still like the old classics, like 2112, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures. But now I have to admit that Rush has taken it to a new level. They floundered for a while after Moving Pictures, but their best work has been their most recent, starting with the excellent Presto. Then Roll The Bones was pretty good, Counterparts excellent again, Test For Echo very good, and now Vapor Trails, the best of them all. Peart's lyrics have gotten better and better over the years, culminating here. They manage to be more personal, so you can feel the passion, not just the brains. But they're also often vague and fanciful enough that you can bring your own interpretations, which involves you even more. Lee & Lifeson have never written better melodies, more interesting beats / time changes, dramatic build-ups, musical flourishes, everything. And of course the trio's playing is outstanding as always. There is not a bad song on this CD. I'm afraid this may be their last CD ever, which would be sad, seeing as they just keep improving.

Gracious gift.......2003-02-22

Its interesting to read the reviews of others on this album. All I can say is that im still learning from it, as I am learning from the others. I think it is incomprehensible to understand this album so quickly, as they are in a state of grace mentally and spiritually, far beyond my current state. I have to say that the music and the lyrics are an improvement over the past albums (im sure they would want us to see that) in many respects, and if you take the time to "listen" to this album, you may just one day understand everything it has to offer... (may understand). After reading "Ghost Rider" this album now has taken on a deeper understanding with myself, and im catching new clues from it everyday. It is a true delight to listen too, with harmonic highs and musical creativity coming through on every song. I am, as usual, truly amazed by thier work, and feel fortunate to live in this time and era with such an amazing group of 3 men. Of course I would reccomend it, as I would every one of thier albums. Rush in my opinion, has set a standard of excellence far ahead of thier time in every facet of their being. They are not only an incredibly successful "rock band", they are also wonderful role models, both musically and personally. I only hope that people will be moved by thier "Vapor Trails".

A New Evolution - Their Best Work.......2002-12-11

I've always been a fan, and have been somewhat disappointed by every release since Grace Under Pressure. This album was initially more of that same letdown. After seeing them perform it live, I seemed to hear the artestry of the album for the first time, and realized that this is not an album you can hear properly at low levels or when there's outside noise (such as in the car when its not turned up enough). I now hold this as possibly my favorite Rush album ever. It is a new evolution in Rush's works, they've transcended to another level, and it is a wonderful state. The breathless pacing of their musicianship has changed to one of ever so subtle mastery. I'm in awe.